Must show urgency in abortion hearings: SC

The Supreme Court of India criticized the Gujarat High Court for delaying a rape survivor’s plea for abortion and called for a sense of urgency in such cases. The court demanded a fresh medical report and set the matter for a hearing on Monday. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows abortions up to 24 weeks for rape survivors, with exceptions for substantial fetal abnormalities. Constitutional courts can approve abortions beyond 24 weeks in appropriate cases.